Teacher Arrested for Refusing to Use ‘They’ Pronoun

Refusal to Use ‘They’ Leads to Another Arrest

An Irish school teacher has been arrested once again after continuing to refuse a request to address a transgender student using the pronoun “they”. The case involves Enoch Burke, whose actions have placed him at the centre of a prolonged legal and social controversy.

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🇮🇪 IRISH TEACHER ARRESTED AGAIN AFTER REFUSING TO USE "THEY" PRONOUN FOR STUDENT

Back in cuffs again. Enoch Burke, the Irish teacher who’s already spent over 560 days in jail, was arrested again this morning outside Wilson’s Hospital School.

Why? He wouldn’t call a male student… pic.twitter.com/ROGHnXgBVC
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 19, 2026

Burke has consistently maintained that he will only use “he” or “she” when referring to students, arguing that these pronouns align with biological sex at birth. His refusal has repeatedly put him in conflict with school authorities and the courts.

Suspension, Salary Freeze, and Court Orders

The dispute dates back to 2022, when Burke was suspended from his teaching duties after declining to follow a school directive regarding pronoun usage. Since then, he has been barred from entering school premises and ordered to comply with multiple court injunctions.

School authorities argued that teachers are required to respect students’ gender identities and promote inclusivity. Burke’s salary was frozen on the basis that it was funded by Irish taxpayers, and he was instructed to repay significant sums already received.

Daily Fines and Unpaid Penalties

In addition to losing his salary, Burke was subjected to daily fines of €700 for breaching court orders, with prosecutors later threatening to increase the amount to €1,400 per day. At the time of reporting, he was said to have accumulated unpaid fines totalling €79,000.

Despite these penalties, the teacher reportedly continued returning to the school grounds, prompting further legal action.

Religion Cited as Core Objection

Burke has repeatedly stated that using gender-neutral pronouns contradicts his Christian beliefs. During court proceedings, he said, “I have a constitutionally protected right to live my life according to my religious beliefs.”

He has also accused school leadership of pushing what he described as a transgender ideological agenda, insisting that he cannot abandon his faith to remain in his teaching role.

Detained Again at School Grounds

Most recently, Burke was arrested again after appearing at Wilson’s Hospital School, despite ongoing restrictions. He had previously served a cumulative prison sentence of 560 days related to contempt of court.

Footage of the arrest has since circulated widely online, showing Burke protesting the detention and reiterating that while he could be imprisoned, he could not be forced to say something he believes to be untrue.

Public Reaction Remains Divided

The case has attracted global attention, with public opinion sharply divided. Some argue that Burke is being punished excessively for expressing a belief, while others insist that he knowingly violated lawful court orders and failed to respect a student’s rights.

The situation continues to raise difficult questions about how educational institutions, legal systems, and societies balance religious conviction, individual expression, and inclusive policies.

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Source : Twitter